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Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament

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Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament

By: Michael Mike

Deputy President Of the Nigerian Senate, Jibrin Barau has been elected 1st Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS Parliament) during the inauguration of the 6th Legislature of the regional bloc.

The 6th Legislature was inaugurated by the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the regional body in accordance with the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of Powers of the regional legislature in a ceremony which was held in Abuja on Thursday.

The substantive Speaker of the regional legislature was unable to be elected following the inability of Togo, which the position was zoned, to produce the Speaker due to the political situation in the country.

Barau was nominated by Nigerian member of Parliament, Awaji- Inombek Dagomie Abiante, in a session presided by Liberia’s Edwin Snowe as interim Speaker. His nomination was seconded by another Nigerian member of Parliament, Senator Ireti Kingibe and he was voted unopposed.

The office of the Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament is usually reserved for Nigeria anytime the country is not presiding as Speaker of the Parliament.

Also elected as Second Deputy Speaker was Adjaratou Traore Coulibally from Cote d’Ivoire, who polled 54 votes to beat Cecile Ahoumnon from Benin, who got no single vote.

The position of the Third Deputy Speaker was won by Alexander Kwamena Afenyo- Markin from Ghana in a unanimous vote.

The Fourth Deputy Speaker position was won by Billay Tunkara from The Gambia with 47 votes beating Orlando Pereira Dias from Cabo Verde who got 7 votes.

Outgoing Speaker of the Parliament, Sidie Mohammed Tunis, thanked the regional body for the opportunity given him to serve for four years even as he reaffirmed his commitment to the regional body.

Tunis was appointed ceremonial speaker, following the gap that exists because Togo, the country to which the Speakership was zoned, as the country was not able to produce the Speaker due to some prevailing political situation.

Tunis however announced his intention to travel to Togo to see how best to get a Speaker, saying “I will proceed to Togo to have a conversion with the authorities there with a view to encouraging them to have their delegation inaugurated as soon as possible so that we can have a Speaker to run this institution. It is very, very important. There are so many things to do in the sub-region, and the ECOWAS Parliament has a very big role to play in the sub-region but they will not be able to do so without the Speaker.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in his address, noted that in the face of the various challenges confronting the region, including peace, stability, security, as well as the unity of the region, the role of the Parliament is more important than ever.

The Minister, who is also the chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, commended the outgoing 5th Legislature, especially its Speaker Mohamed Tunis, for their invaluable contributions to the ECOWAS Parliament and the Organization as a whole.

Tuggar said “it is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our governments”.

Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament

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2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei

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2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei

Dr Salihu Girei, a former Director of Research, Development and Centre of Excellence, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), has formally declared interest to contest the Governorship seat in Adamawa under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Girei made his intention to govern the state known at a press conference in Yola while unveiling a 10-point agenda for the development of the state.

He said if given the mandate he would impact positively in the state especially at the grassroots.

He listed some of the agenda to include: free and quality education at the primary and secondary levels, healthcare service delivery, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, employment opportunities rural development among others.

Girei promised to provide a special salary package for teachers and 100 per cent review of pension for retirees.

He explained that he is presenting himself to the electorate to vote for in order to provide good governance, saying, he has a lot to offer towards improving the wellbeing of citizens of Adamawa State.

According to him, he contributed enormously to the development of the state and country at large for 33 years as a public administrator, and as a policy maker.

“I was Executive Chairman of Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board, where I was privileged to transform the education landscape, especially at the basic education level.

“I built at least 5,500 classrooms record. Were able to recruit at least 17,000 teachers in four years.

“We promoted teachers that were lagging behind in promotion. We trained and retrained teachers. We did a lot in terms of supervision of teachers and schools”, he said.

He said, based on those factors, he knows Adamawa well and its challenges and has the capacity to deliver for the citizens.

“There is no ward in Adamawa that I have not been to. I’ve visited all in my capacity as Chairman of SUBEB and Commissioner for LG Affairs”, he said.

Dr Girei earlier visited the APC Secretariat to formally declare his intentions to the party Executives and congratulated them for their emergence as the new EXCO.

In his remarks, Alhaji Hamza Madagali appreciated the visit and assured the party’s readiness to conduct free, fair and credible primary elections across all political offices.

2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei

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Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno

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Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled an attempt by suspected terrorist logistics suppliers along the Ngoshe–Ashigashiya road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion, deployed at Ngoshe, laid an ambush at a known crossing point along the route at about 2:20 a.m. on April 24.

The sources said the troops made contact with suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics suppliers conveying items to terrorist elements and engaged them with disciplined fire.

The suspects were forced to abandon the items and fled in disarray.

Items recovered during exploitation of the area include 10 pairs of women’s slippers, 28 sachets of 500g salt, 39 sachets of powdered milk, a motorcycle tube, a pair of joggers, two pieces of clothing materials measuring 10 yards each, two one-litre containers of engine oil and a black shirt.

The sources said no casualty was recorded on the side of the troops, while casualties on the part of the fleeing suspects could not be immediately ascertained.

They added that the troops returned to base at about 6:00 a.m. after completing the operation.

According to the sources, the general security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high.

Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno

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Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents

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Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist infiltration into Kanama town, neutralising four insurgents during a swift response operation in Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on April 22 when troops of 159 Battalion, deployed in Kanama, responded to sounds of gunfire within the town.

On arrival, the troops reportedly discovered that terrorists had infiltrated parts of the community.

The troops immediately made contact and engaged the attackers with disciplined fire, forcing them to retreat in disarray.

Subsequent exploitation of the general area led to the neutralisation of four terrorists.

One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained injuries during the encounter and has been evacuated for medical attention.

No military equipment was lost during the operation.

Items recovered from the terrorists include two torchlight mobile phones and the sum of ₦21,000.

Security sources said the general situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.

Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents

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